Haunted by her harrowing rape ordeal, a teen attack victim has become a prisoner in her own home.

It has now been more than a year since a balaclava-clad sex fiend pounced on the girl as she walked home from a night out with friends.

But the rapist remains at large after police released their only suspect without charge.

And today as detectives urge anyone who feels they may know the attackers identity to come forward, the young victim’s mum has told how her daughter is terrified to leave the house alone knowing her attacker remains free.

She said: “I don’t feel like she will ever feel safe again. Whoever has done this is still out there. She’s always going to be looking over her shoulder, but she doesn’t even know who she’s looking for.”

The victim, whose identity is protected by law, had been out with friends to mark the first day of their school holidays when she was raped, on Friday May 27, 2016.

The masked predator grabbed the 16-year-old girl on a dark secluded path, in Newcastle, after she briefly became separated from her pals.

Scene of a rape on the waggon way off Dumpling Hall in Lemington (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The stranger, who was wearing dark clothes and a balaclava, then raped her on the waggonway between Lemington and the Dumpling Hall estate before disappearing into the night.

After the attack the hysterical victim phoned her mum, who found her daughter huddled on the path cradling her knees.

In the weeks following the terrifying assault police arrested and questioned a man in connection with the rape.

But the 31-year-old, who was the only suspect in the investigation, was released without charge when he answered bail.

In the months following the attack the teen’s mum watched her once outgoing daughter become withdrawn and reclusive.

Terrified of sharing the streets with the man responsible for her ordeal, she now rarely goes out alone and has lost interest in her career plans.

Scene of a rape on the waggon way off Dumpling Hall in Lemington (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Her mum is now hoping to persuade her daughter to see a counsellor to help her deal with what happened.

But she fears her girl will never come to terms with the attack without justice.

“There’s been a total change in he personality,” she said. “It’s just devastating. I think it will take a lot of years to recover from this. There’s been no closure at all.

“She used to be really outgoing and sociable, but she doesn’t really go anywhere now. She doesn’t go out, she’s just floating around, but this is the age she should be going out and having a good time.

“She still sees her friends, but they come to the house to see her. Her friends have been a great support.

“They are at ours everyday. If they do anything they always invite her, but her heart’s just not in it.”

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Detectives from Northumbria Police say they are still hunting the rapist, who struck between 10.45pm and 11pm.

And Det Supt Peter Storey has praised the victim’s bravery.

He said: “Cases are never closed and any new information or evidence which is brought to the attention of officers will be investigated. Protecting vulnerable victims of crime is our absolute priority and we are doing everything we can to identify the person responsible for this incident.

“This attack would have been terrifying for the victim and we know this will be something that will stay with her for the rest of her life. Specialist officers will always be available to her for support.

Det Supt Storey once again urged anyone who knows anything to come forward, asking anyone who suspects someone they know might be responsible to do the right thing.